Can I use 100% pure frankincense oil as a skin perfume?

Love the rich scent of frankincense for a natural perfume? Applying pure essential oil directly to your skin can cause irritation. I’ll show you how to enjoy it safely.

No, you should never use 100% pure frankincense oil directly on your skin as a perfume. It is highly concentrated and can cause severe irritation or sensitization over time. Always dilute it in a carrier oil, like jojoba or sweet almond oil, before application.

Knowing you can’t apply it neat is the most important first step. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the idea. The secret to using this ancient, precious oil as a perfume lies in proper dilution. Let’s explore how to do it right to create a perfume that is both beautiful and safe for your skin.

How do I safely dilute frankincense oil for skin use?

Ready to create your perfume but worried about getting the ratios wrong? Too little oil is pointless, too much is unsafe. Here’s a simple guide for a perfect, safe dilution.

For a safe and effective perfume, aim for a 1-2% dilution. This translates to 6-12 drops of frankincense essential oil per 1 ounce (30ml) of a carrier oil. Jojoba oil is ideal because it mimics the skin’s natural sebum and won’t interfere with the scent.

The carrier oil you choose is the foundation of your perfume. Jojoba oil is a fantastic choice because it’s technically a liquid wax, making it very stable with a long shelf life. It’s also non-greasy and absorbs beautifully into the skin. Other great options include fractionated coconut oil, which is very light and odorless, or sweet almond oil, which is very nourishing.

Before you apply your new perfume all over, you must do a patch test. This is a critical safety step I insist on with all my clients. Mix your blend, then apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours. If there is no redness or irritation, you are good to go.

Here is a simple dilution chart for a standard 10ml roller bottle:

What are the benefits of using frankincense as a perfume?

Think frankincense is just a unique, earthy scent? You’re only getting half the story. By using it as a perfume, you unlock powerful benefits for both your skin and mind.

Beyond its beautiful, complex aroma, frankincense offers skin-rejuvenating benefits. It’s known to help tone the skin and reduce the appearance of imperfections. Aromatically, its grounding scent is prized for promoting feelings of peace, relaxation, and mindfulness, making it a truly therapeutic perfume.

This is why frankincense has been treasured for thousands of years. It’s not just a fragrance; it’s an experience. My client Mohammed, who creates custom gift sets in Iraq, loves using frankincense. He says his customers want products that offer more than just a nice smell; they want something that adds real value to their well-being.

Skincare Powerhouse

When applied to the skin in a diluted form, frankincense oil has wonderful properties. It’s a natural astringent, which means it can help tone the skin and reduce the appearance of pores. It’s also celebrated for its ability to improve the look of skin imperfections and promote a healthy, even skin tone.

Aromatherapy for the Mind

The scent of frankincense is rich, woody, and slightly spicy. It’s famous for its grounding effect on the mind. Inhaling the aroma from your pulse points can help quiet mental chatter, reduce feelings of stress, and encourage a state of calm mindfulness. It’s the perfect scent for a hectic day.

What’s the best way to package a homemade frankincense perfume?

You’ve created a beautiful, natural perfume. Don’t let it spoil by storing it in the wrong container. The right packaging protects your blend and enhances the experience of using it.

The ideal container is a dark glass roller bottle, typically 10ml. Amber or cobalt blue glass is essential to protect the delicate oils from UV light degradation. The rollerball applicator allows for easy, mess-free application directly to pulse points, ensuring your perfume lasts longer.

As a packaging supplier, this is my area of expertise. The container you choose is a critical part of your final product. It ensures safety, preserves potency, and delivers the perfume effectively.

Why a Roller Bottle is Perfect

A roller bottle is the professional choice for oil-based perfumes. The glass is inert, so it won’t react with the essential oils. The dark color, as we’ve discussed, blocks UV light which is a major cause of oil degradation. Most importantly, the rollerball is the perfect applicator. It allows you to apply the perfume directly to your pulse points—like your wrists, neck, and behind your ears—with no mess or waste. It also prevents you from contaminating the rest of the oil with your fingers, keeping your blend fresh.

Here’s a quick comparison of your options:

Conclusion

Never use pure frankincense oil on your skin. By diluting it in a carrier oil and using a dark glass roller bottle, you can create a safe, beautiful, and therapeutic perfume.